Armies of Hanuman (Ramayana)

I just got done reading book two of the series (someone borrowed book 1 from me before I could really get into it). It's written in a very LOTR-esque style which makes it hard to put down. Yet I found that I was able to enjoy book 2 without having the first book (that may be because I know the basic characters of the story even though I don't remember specific incidents).

The pace of the story was fast, the descriptions detailed and colorful, and the characters fleshed out. Seeing the protagonist Rama as a man and not an outright demi-god added a connection that made me want to follow the progress of events.

I'm dying to read through all four books. Mr. Banker has made this epic not just palatable but very appealing to those not brought up hearing it from their grandparents.


Rama's Morality as seen by Hanuman   April 26, 2005
C. Parnell (Australia)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Rama, Lakshman and Sita are pursued by the remnants of a 14,000 strong rakshaa army. Rama is at all times confronted with challenges from his companions, perhaps even attempts to desert or betray. Rama responds with One Word, dharma. Maddeningly, Rama will stand by his dharma and his plighted troth unto the very limit of his exile, even in face of insurmountable odds. You will squirm in your seat as the armies approach and Rama declaims on his one word, dharma. At the footprint of Vanama, the battle of Janmastama commences, with the rebels lead by Bearface, choosing to stand with Rama and follow dharma.

Hanuman observes Rama and his battles from the trees, and wonders about the valour, strength and courage of this strange mortal from distant Ayodhya. Ravana continues to be held prisoner in a mysterious Brahman spell unleashed by Rama and Lakshman at Mithila - a spell his brother Vibhisena has been unable to break. Meanwhile, the transformation of Lanka into a White City has been completed by Ravana's wife, Mandodhari. The resurrection of Ravana from the Brahman spell occurs; Ravana and his ten heads converse among themselves, argue, speak in foreign languages, flit with evil and beguile with uncustomary kindness. Is it all a subterfuge, a craftily created illusion to put all around him at rest while he continues his evil ways? Ravana's character is fleshed out with convincing dialogue, deception and mastery of Brahman.

The abduction of Sita, daughter of Priviti, Mother Earth, is told with cunning deception and thrilling interventions from Ma Prakriti, Mother Nature. Central to Ravana's machinations is the use of the Pushpak, the aerial vessel of Brahmin which shapes itself according to the wishes of the mind of its agent.

Hanuman first appears as an observer with many unanswered questions about Rama and his companions. Rama sneaks up on Hanuman unawares, and demands a telling of his presence. The filling out of Hanuman's character and this meeting with Rama is verily a shastra devoted entirely to dharma. You will thrill with the nobility and integrity of these two as they converse.

One word. One arrow. One wife. One Truth. So Rama Chandra is delineated.

A fast, thrilling read, Rama is a yodha, champion of champions yet, a slow metamorphosis of Hanuman into yodha is somewhat discernible. Illuminated by a strong grasp of dharma.


Brilliant follow-through to a great series   December 9, 2004
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I had the pleasure of reading a very early copy of this book...okay, okay, so it was a proof copy in fact, which I got from a 'friend' at the publisher's office. After reading the first three books, I was sure that Banker could not get any better. But he blew me away. Not only does this book fulfil all the expectations raised by the previous three, it goes beyond. The action gets spectacular, starting with the battle of Janasthana at the beginning, from the first page itself, and is almost non-stop. He creates the world of the vanars beautifully, showing us what a completely different civilization of that time might really have been like. And the 'new' Lanka is also a stroke a genius. Ravana's character, as originally hinted at, finally begins to show a side hitherto unseen by us, and grows into a more convincing 'grey' character with many more shades and subtleties. It's clear that Banker will clear up many questions in the remaining books, and as any book in a series must do, Armies raises as many new possibilities as it resolves old ones, but this is a gripping, nail-biting addition to the series. And for those of us who like our fantasy intelligent and with emotional and yes, even moral, depth, this is a truly fantastic read.

I can't recommend it enough.